Ultrasound Image Brightness Correction via Echo Signal Superposition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ultrasound image generation methods face challenges in accurately adjusting gain for each depth due to deviations from ideal calculations, leading to potential inaccuracies, and suffer from high calculation loads that can reduce frame rates.
Innovation Solution
An acoustic wave image generating apparatus and control method that utilize a plurality of transducers to transmit and receive ultrasound waves, with devices for positional deviation correction and brightness adjustment, enabling the generation of images with fixed brightness across depths by superimposing corrected and uncorrected echo signals, and calculating correction coefficients for brightness correction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If gain adjustment for each depth is performed based on ideal state calculation, then brightness uniformity is improved, but actual deviation occurs reducing measurement precision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary brightness measurement and deviation calculation before final image generation. The brightness information generation device measures actual brightness at each depth, and the positional deviation correction device calculates correction values in advance, applying them before image display to eliminate actual deviations from ideal calculations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the brightness information generation device continuously monitors actual brightness at each depth, compares it with ideal brightness, and feeds back correction information to the positional deviation correction device, which adjusts the ultrasound beam focusing to minimize brightness deviation
2Illumination intensity
If piece of element data is generated from multiple pieces considering propagation time with phasing addition, then gain deviation is reduced, but calculation load increases reducing productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the brightness correction process into separate functional modules: brightness information generation, positional deviation calculation, and image generation. This allows selective application of correction only where needed rather than processing all data through complex phasing addition, reducing overall calculation load while maintaining gain uniformity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial correction by calculating positional deviation only for specific depth regions or selected scan lines rather than performing full phasing addition on all element data. This partial action approach reduces calculation load while still achieving acceptable gain deviation correction for the most critical image regions
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution allows for the generation of ultrasound images with consistent brightness across depths, improving accuracy and reducing frame rate degradation, thereby overcoming the limitations of existing methods.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of acoustic wave transducers are arranged in at least one direction; a driving device for performing processing for transmitting acoustic waves, which converge on a focusing position, to a subject from the acoustic wave transducers
Implementation Method 2
acoustic wave echo signals that are output from the acoustic wave transducers due to the acoustic wave transducers receiving acoustic wave echoes
Data Source
AI summary
There are provided an acoustic wave image generating apparatus for generating a B-mode image having a fixed brightness and a control method thereof. First brightness information (81) indicating the brightness of a first B-mode image in the depth direction of the subject is generated. Positional deviation correction is performed on an acoustic wave echo signal having a positional deviation between the focusing position of acoustic waves and the observation target position, and second brightness information (82) indicating the brightness in the depth direction of the subject is generated from a superposition signal obtained by superimposing an acoustic wave echo signal for which the positional deviation has been corrected and an acoustic wave echo signal without positional deviation. The brightness of the first B-mode image is corrected based on the first brightness information and the second brightness information.